Convertible fork and rake.



APPLICATION FILED DEC. 12. I916- Patented May 15, 1917.

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.c A. T @FFlQEQ IRA v. SKIPPER, or MERIDIAN, iarssissirri.

CONVERTIBLE FGBK AND RAKE.

fpeoificaticn of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 191i 7.

Application filed December 12, 1916. Serial No. 136,569.

c it known that I. IRA V. SKIPPER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Meridian, in the county of Lauderdale, State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Forks and Rakes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, 0 car, and exact descrip- @ne object of the present invention is to improve the constructions of devices of this character whereby a combined fork and rake can be had in one tool, which can be quickly and easily converted from one to the other.

Another object is to provide a novelly constructed device of this character which includes efficient means for holding the diferent tools in their respective positions while in use, and which cannot become easily displaced.

tier objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawin proved implement, showing the same in position foruse as a fork.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device in position for use as a rake.

*ig. 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view through the device in the position of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional 0 view taken 011 the line 4-t of Fig. 2

*ig. 5 is a perspective view of the head of the fork, removed from the handle.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the attaching end of the handle removed from the fork head.

eferring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents the handle of the implement, t e outer end of which is reduced centrally, as at 11, to provide a stern portion. In this stem portion, and formed transversely therethrough, are the circular opening 12 and the elongated slot 13. This slot has a vertical portion lt the stem. In the upper edge of the stem, mtwardly of the vertical portion of the slot 13, there are formed the downwardly eX- lending and divergent notches 15.

a he head 16 is fOIllltlCl with a bifurcation 1? which straddles the stem portion of the handle, and formed transversely through the bifurcated portion of the head, and arranged to register with the opening 12, is an opening 18, a bolt 19 being passed through the thus registered openings and 5 held by means of a clamping nut 20. Disposed through the slot 13 and a slot 21 formed in the outer end portion of the bifurcation, is a bolt 22, said bolt being heldin position by means of a clamping nut 23. 7

When adjusting the head into the position shown in Fig. 1, the shank of the bolt 22 is passed through-the vertical portion let until it reaches the longitudinal portion and ion it is moved longitudinally through this 7 portion of the slot. Thus any pivotal movement of the head is effectively prevented.

lVhcn the head is swung up into the position shown in Fig. 2, the bolt 22 is moved downwardly until its shank is disposed in one of the divergent notches 15. firmly hold the head in position as a rake.

It will, of course be understood that the clamping nut 23 is tightened to prevent the bolt from becoming disengaged from the 8 notch.

Secured to the head by means of a rivet or bolt 2% is a plate 25, and hinged to this plate is a brace arm 26. he other end of the arm is hinged to a second plate 27 which is slidably mounted on the handle 10, by means of the elongated slot 28, formed in the plate, and the bolt 29 which passes through the slot and handle. l gaged on one end of the bolt to firmly clamp t e plate in differentpositions.

his brace arm assists the bolt 23 in holding the head in its position for use as a rake, not when the head is swung into its fork position, this bolt 29 is loosened and the plate permitted to slide forwardly handle, thereby lying flatly against the under side of the head and handle.

lVhat is claimed is:

l. r convertible fork and rake comprising a handle member having one end reduced to form a stem, :1 head having a bifurcation straddling said stem and pivotally connected thereto for swinging movement and adapted to be secured longitudinally of the handle, and at an angle thereto, the bifurcation and. t e stem each being formed int with a slot, a bolt carried by the bifurcation and extending through the slots, the handle slot having a vertical portion extending through the upper face 0 the stem, the stem being formed with a plurality of divgergent notches for the reception of said olt.

2. A convertible fork and rake including a handle having a reduced end portion 10 formed with a bayonet slot opening through the upper edge portion thereof, and radiating notches formed in said edge portion adjacent the slot, a head pivotally mounted on the reduced portion and provided with a longitudinal slot, and a transverse bolt 1-5 engaged in the slots and movable into and out-oi the bayonet slot, said bolt being also engageable in the said radiating notches. V In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

' IRA V. SKIPPER.

Witnesses:

LEM SKIPPER, FRANK SKIPPER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of IPatents, 7

Washington, D. G. 

